Mask



Nov. 14, 1939. L. E, sNoDGRAss 2180315 MASK Filed Feb. 15, 1938 ASSINVENTOR Y LESLIE E. SNODGR fwl ly T ORN Patented Nov. 14, 1939 UNITEDSTATES! rArsNr orrics;

MASK Leslie E. Snodgrass,`Pontiac, Mich. Application February 15, 1938,Serial No. 190,65'7

2 Claims.

This invention relates to protective masks for persons who must workfacing dangerously brilliant or actinic light or other radiationsl orpropagated matter from which the eyes require shielding. A 1 t At thepresent time, Welders and others requiring such protection of the eyesand face,

commonly utilize a. swingable mask 'carried upon the head by a pivotalmounting which allows the mask, when not needed, to be swung back out ofthe way. The mask is commonly formed of a light, strong material such asthin, hard fibre, provided with a window of glass of a character whichis resistant to transmission of actinic light, or other radiations to beimpeded. Particularly in the performance of welding operations, however,the workman, in order to adjust his work, frequently requires full andclear vision, which is impossible with the shielding glass before hiseyes. 'Ihis necessitates frequently tilting the mask back on its pivotalmounting, which is not only troublesomeand time-consuming in itself, butoccupies one hand of the workman and requires him to put down othertools or materials. The present invention aims to provide an improvedmask of the character indicated, having a transparent shielding panelmovable with relation to the remainder of the mask, into and out oieffective shielding position, and operable in a novel and convenientmanner, without movement of the entire mask, and without requiring useof the op'erators handsat a time which would be inconvenient.

A related object is the provision of 'such a mask construction having amovable limitedly transparent shielding panel biased to move to itsoperative shielding position in the line of vision of the wearer,selectively movable out of such position, and provided with holdingmeans acting as a latch to hold such panel out of the operativeshielding position, such holding means being releasable by movement of aportion of the operators head and without requiring use of the operatorshands.

Additional objects include provision of such a mask of light, simple andeconomical ch'ar-y t acter, the movable shielding panel of which isprotected yet readily replaceable.

Still another object is to provide a slidable shield panel mechanism ofthe indicated character which is adapted to be incorporated in weldingmasksl as now commonly constructed.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawingdetails will be understood to be matters of choice shield panel isattached to a vertically sliding illustrating a preferred embodiment ofmy invention, and wherein similar reference numerals designate similarparts throughout the several views.

In the drawing: 5

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mask pro vided with the apparatus ofthe invention.

Figures 2, 3, and 4 are sectionalkviews 'taken substantially on thelines 2 2, 3-3 and lrespectively of Figure 1, and looking in thedirection of the arrows.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of theinterior of the mask,showing the mounting and retaining means for the shielding andprotective panels; and 15 Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectionalview showing in side elevation the chin-operated actuating means for theshield panel in the lowered position it occupies when such panel iselevated to shielding position.

Referring now to the drawing: Reference character l0 designates the bodyof the mask proper, which is indicated as of a shape and constructioncommonly employed, although such 25 with which the invention is notessentially conu cerned. Straps I2 are provided by which the mask may besupported upon the users head in position to shield his face. Preferablythemask is so pivotally attached to the head straps, as

upon pivot pins I4, that it may be swung back over or behind the head ofthe wearer, to completely free his vision from the obstructing presenceof the mask.

The window opening in the front of the mask through which the operatorwatches his work is bounded by a frame I5 which may be formed of sheetmetal and adapted 'to house a glass' panel as 20 which althoughtransparent, is darkened or otherwise rendered resistant to actinic i0light (or to the other radiations desired to be impeded), to a desireddegree and in accordance with the working conditions, as will readily beunderstood by those skilled in the art. Such panel may also be protectedagainst mechanical injury by additional panes 22, 24 of cleartransparent glass or the like, arranged in front of and behind the same.

The window frame or housing l5 is of suicient height to allow downwardsliding of the panel 20 out of shielding position, permitting theoperator to look through the space thus provided above it, as along the`line of vision indicated by the arrow 2| on' Figure 2. The

' upper end portions of the shield-carrying slide 25 therebetween.

A linger piece Sli attached to the slide 25 projects freely through avertical slot 3| in the face of the mask. By means of such linger piecethe slide and also the shield panel may be moved up or down at will.

Additional operating means for the sliding shield panel is providedinside the mask, in such manner as to be engageable by the operatorschin and to provide for throwing the shield panel from the open to theshielding position by such engagement. A lug 33 projects from the innerface of the slide 25 in appropriate position for this purpose and isengageable by a sliding and rockable actuating thrust element 34 carriedby a springing lever 35 pivoted in a bracket 3l fastened to the innerface of the mask. The lever 35 is shown as tubular, to house the thrustelement 34 therewithin. A spring 38 urges the thrust element outwardlyagainst the lug 33 and slide. inwardly from the mask substantiallyperpendicularly when the shield panel is lowered as shown in Figure 2,at which time it may incline slightly upwardly from its trunnion-typepivot means 36 to give an overecenter action, although' this is notessential, as spring 3S then acts to hold the lever raised and the slide25 lowered, forcing the latter toward and binding it against the maskbody. The force of the spring is without lifting eiect upon the shieldpanel until the lever 35 is pushed downfas by the chin of the operator,beyond a predetermined point (the wedging angle), whereafter the spring,acting through thrust element 34 and lug 33, shield panel to theelevated operative position in which it is shown in Figures 3 and 5, thelever dropping to the position of Figure 6.

The shield panel travels in channeled guides 4|, 42 arranged inappropriate position in the window frame 5 upon opposite sides. Theguide channels are attached to the frame only at their lower ends, suchattachment being by pivot pins 43 which allow them, and the panel heldthereby, to swing inwardly. This is of course only possible when theretaining means is freed and the glass separated from the irictionalgrip of the upper end of the slide, but permits remo-val and replacementof the shield panel. At their lower ends the side webs of the channelsare turned outwardly, toward the front and back of the compartment denedby the window frame, to form lugs 46, lil'. These support the clearglass protecting panes 22, 24. The inner Wall of the window frameenclosure is `formed by a removable retaining plate 5@ of spring metal,which is held bowed and under tension by channel pieces 52 secured tothe mask body. By bowing the plate outwardly sufliciently, it mayreadily be removed and replaced. The proper resilient pressure againstthe inner pane 24 may be in- The tubular lever 35 projects lifts the vsured by spring iingers 5| cut in the edge of the retaining springplate, whose action will be seen to urge both protecting panes and theinterposed channels 4|, 42 against the front of the window frame. Springretaining plate 50 is of course provided with an opening (undesignated)aligned with the panels.

A soft rubber buffer 55 may be provided at the top of the window frameto act as a cushion against which the shield panel 28 may strike whenlifted by the spring, safeguarding the panel against injury.

All of the parts are held under tension by plate 50 and spring 38,preventing annoying rattles. Suitable adjusting means may be providedwhereby the position of the mask and its component parts may be changedto it the individual wearer. Turnbuckle type adjusting devices areindicated at I3 as incorporated in the head straps |2, although it willbe understood that such mechanisms and/or other suitable adjustingdevices may be provided.

The operation of the device will, it is believed, be readily apparent,but may be briey surnmarized as follows: After completion of a weldingstep or operation, the operator, who may then conveniently free one handor finger, pulls the shield panel downwardly by means of the fingerpiece 3|), throwing the chin lever 35 outward to the position of Figure2. After adjusting his Work, or when ready to recommence welding, he mayuse both hands to prepare himself, and actually have both hands inposition for welding, whereafter before proceeding and at the lastmoment he merely drops his chin to engage the lever and throw the shieldpanel upwardly into protecting position.

While it will be apparent that the illustrated embodiment of myinvention herein disclosed is well calculated to adequately fulll theobjects and advantages primarily stated, it is to be un derstood thatthe invention is susceptible to variation, modification and changewithin the spirit and scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

1. A shielding mask having a body portion, a shield element carried bythe body portion and movable vertically therein to shielding andnonshielding positions, actuating means whereby said shield element maybe moved by a wearer lar to the slide, and tends to move said slide whenthe lever is more nearly parallel thereto.

2. Means as set forth in claim i in which said lever is of tubular form,and said thrust member is slidable therein, and spring means also housedin said lever and reacting upon said thrust member.

LESLIE E. SNODGRASS.

